DoorDash and Instacart in tentative $17 billion talks

DoorDash and Instacart are in advanced, tentative talks over a potential acquisition that could value Instacart at about $17 billion, according to a person familiar with the discussions. No agreement is guaranteed, and neither company has publicly confirmed a deal. The person said an agreement could be finalized as soon as Wednesday, October 28. That is a possible timeline, not a confirmed deadline or assurance that the transaction will proceed. Instacart declined to comment, while DoorDash did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The proposed valuation would exceed Instacart’s market value of about $13 billion at Friday’s close. During Monday’s regular trading session, Instacart shares rose about 8%, while DoorDash shares fell around 6%. Those movements followed reports of the potential transaction. Instacart had also held preliminary discussions with other potential buyers, including Uber, according to people familiar with the matter. Its discussions with Uber are no longer active, the person familiar with the current talks said. The reports do not establish that Instacart has agreed to sell or that final terms have been settled. A combination would bring...